So You're Going to adopt a Dachshund?

"For whatever time this animal has remaining, they will give you so much happiness and love. In a short while, people watching the two of you would never guess that you hadn't been together for it's whole life. Don't deny yourself the opportunity to experience the love of an older animal. Whatever time you are allowed with this animal will be time you will treasure for the rest of your life. And for the rest of it's life too. You won't regret it. Ever."

The quote above will be immediately understood and appreciated by those who have had the joy and privilege of adopting a senior dog. For those of you who have not yet experienced this special treat, but may have been considering it, I hope this page will help convince you to make the leap of faith and actually adopt a senior.

(The links to the AHDRS website above will open in a new window. To return to this page, simply close that window.)

People say… “An older dog won’t bond with me like a young one will.” It’s true that an older dog doesn’t bond as a young one does; an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. This statement is actually true—an older dog usually bonds with new guardians even more than a young dog. Animals who have experienced loss or a difficult past often display their desire to form new and stronger attachments. They have found someone to love them and they have no intention of letting go!

People say… “An older dog up for adoption must have problems, or it wouldn’t need rescuing.” The reality is that pets enter shelters and rescue societies for every imaginable reason. Often it’s not the dog that has the problem, but the human. Many people get a dog because it seems like the thing to do, not because they truly appreciate the qualities—and needs—of the species. Others are forced to surrender their pets for personal reasons. There may be a problem with a particular dog, but you are much less likely to find a senior dog that isn’t housebroken or a senior dog that snaps; older dogs have usually overcome any bad habits they had when they were young.

People say… “An older dog will have more medical bills.” To some extent, this may be true, in that older dogs need more medical “supervision,” such as geriatric testing during their annual exams. But there is no health guarantee for a dog of any age. One-year-old dogs can die of cancer. And puppies have larger immediate medical bills because of their need for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery. And don’t forget the bills for chewed shoes and shredded drapes!

People say… “We won’t have much time to enjoy her.” There are no more guarantees for our dogs than for our human loved ones. You never know how long a beloved pet, or person, will be with you. Love is what matters, no matter how long we might be able to share it.

Now, an observation of my own: Take just a few moments and look closely at your seven or eight year old dachshund.

Beautiful animal, isn't it? Loves you very much, no doubt. If something were to happen to you tomorrow and it were necessary for your dog to be rehomed, what would you say it's chances were of finding another good home? Sadly, they are not as good as you may think. While you may not think of your animal as a senior, almost everyone else will.

Every day, countless animals just like yours remain in rescue because they are "too old" to adopt. But, consider this; in three years, that three or four year old dachshund you hope to adopt will also be "over age". By adopting an older dachshund now, you have saved yourself that three year wait and gained an additional three years of companionship for yourself and your current animal.

These animals are in exactly the same situation that your older animal might be in one day, should you ever be unable to continue caring for it.

Read the story of my Precious Punky and her memorial if you would like to know the depth of feeling an older rescue can inspire in one man.

If you would like more information about adopting a senior rescue, may I suggest clicking on some of the links from this Google™ search page.

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